Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My kitten is weaning. Why is she biting the bottle and not drinking?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 9 days old

I'm weaning my kitty as it is more than 1 month old. She eats cooked chicken and fishes one time a day. When I feed her with bottle, she attacks d bottle and bites the nipples aggressively. It is very difficult to get her latched to the nipple and even if she is very hungry she doesn't drink as much as before. However, she eats meat or fish to her fill. I see this behaviour for the last 3 days. What could be the reason?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Anna M., DVM

Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 12th, 2017

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sounds like your kitten is successfully weaning! It sounds like she's becoming less interested in bottle feeding, since she is taking solids, and is likely playing with the nipple now more than feeding from it. At this stage, kitten food will do her more good than meat or milk replacer. I recommend offering her both dry and canned kitten food (you may want to crush the dry food a bit if she needs help eating it), and you can also offer a bit of the milk replacer in a little saucer for her to lap up herself, to encourage self-feeding. Keep trying to do the bottle feedings until you're confident she's eating kitten food on her own, but don't stress too much if she seems to be losing interest as her "real food" consumption picks up. Hope this helps!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Maria DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 22nd, 2018

    If Angel's eyes are open she is about 3 weeks of age. If she is chewing the bottle I would start to introduce wet food. I would mix the kitten milk replacer with wet kitten food and put it in a bowl for her and she is she will start to take it. She may just start to need food on top of the milk. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. She is adorable!!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Food & Nutrition
My kitten bites the syringe and won't latch. How do I feed him?
At 3.5 weeks I would recommend weaning her onto semisolid food to allow her to chew rather than suckle. Early weaning is possible from 2 weeks of age. I would recommend royal canin starter mousse initially either from a syringe or spoon
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Is my 2-month-old kitten too old to still be bottle feeding?
HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At 4 weeks old Almond should be very close to or completely weaned and eating kitten food. I would start feeding her canned kitten food and provide water in a dish. I personally do not think a cat or dog would drink from a sippy cup.I wouldn't stress over the sippy cup I would just get her off the bottle and provide fresh water in a dish. I hope this helps and I wish you and Almond the best!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
New Pet
Why is my mom cat avoiding nursing? Do kitten teeth hurt her?
Yes you are correct about your thoughts. It does hurt when they nurse now with their little teeth, and after three weeks they are old enough to start eating solid food. I’m glad you are starting to feed them. You can give wet kitten food now four times daily and add warm water to it to make it very wet. Usually having them lick it off your finger by the dish will teach them to eat. Just let the Mom go in and out as she wants and she’ll gradually wean them herself. Once her milk is dried up it’s a good time to spay her as she can get pregnant again soon afterwards. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your kittens.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Why won't my 11-week kitten eat cat food, only formula/sweets?
I would recommend to start weaning him off the formula and offering the cat food more and more. He is old enough to eat dry kitten food and he isn't getting what he needs with just the formula. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
How to get my 3-month-old kitten to eat solid food and wean?
Some kittens do nurse longer than others, and wean at a later date. He does need to learn to eat regular food, however, you can try to wean him. To start, mix dry kitten food with kitten milk replacer formula so they recognize the taste. Smear the mixture around their mouth with your finger and let them lick it off. Once they get used to the taste, they’ll seek it out elsewhere. As he get used to this, add in more dry food, and less formula until you have completely eliminated the formula.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
When should my 6-week-old kitten stop milk and start drinking water?
Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If the milk you are giving is milk replacer, this should be continued until Missy is 8 weeks old. You can continue to transition her to hard kibble when she is about 8 weeks old. By that time, she should be eating hard kibble and you can discontinue the milk replacer. She is likely not drinking water as much due to getting her liquid from the wet food and milk replacer. She will begin to drink more water as you transition her to hard kibble. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My kitten chews bottle nipples. Is it safe? When can he eat solids?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Loki has teeth he can start eating canned kitten food. Mash it on a plate so he can stand in it and eat it. You can also add the formula to the canned food to entice him. If he’s at least 1 pound he is 4 weeks old. Don’t forget to get him to a vet soon to check his health and start vaccines. Good luck and kisses to Loki!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Cat FoodCat SuppliesKitten Formula & Milk ReplacerWet Cat FoodKitten FoodCanned Cat FoodSmall Animal Waterers & BottlesKitten TreatsDry Cat FoodCat Training & BehaviorGrain Free Cat FoodCat Bowls & FeedersCat Food PouchesCat ToysHigh Protein Cat FoodCat Food with GrainCat Potty TrainingCat Health & WellnessCat Feeding AccessoriesCat Treats
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button